Page 121 of Until the End of Ever
Kleos snorted. "Give it a guess."
While the man fussed over her, I saw someone move in the stand, gathering and throwing magic in her direction. I reacted instantly, throwing myself between the projectile and Kleos. Too late, I saw I'd misjudged the target.
The feather was cinder on the floor.
"That's unacceptable!"Leander Valesco roared. "Arrest this man!"
But the fire-thrower was long gone, jumping out of the stands and through one of the many exits in the forum.
I stared at my chance for freedom, eyes wide.
Surely, the council would adjourn, judge that this tampering meant there should be an investigation. But as I saw my accuser's smirk, I knew my fate was sealed.
"Tsk tsk tsk."
The complete stranger, leaning against the stands, crossed the atrium, shaking her head.
"Man, this place might even be worse than home," she drawled, her thick, beautiful accent completely unplaceable.
As she advanced towards us, I watched a pair of enormous, swan-like white wings unfurl from her back where there were none moments ago.
She plucked a feather, wincing, and handed it to the archivist. "I am Helen, daughter of Ma'at. I trust you'll agree this one will do."The awestruck man nodded wordlessly as he placed the new feather on one side.
At the speaker’s behest, I stood on the golden scale, which remained balanced.
Sucking on a virtual lemon, Castor asked again, "How do you plead?"
And I repeated, "I am not guilty of murdering Zenya Pendros," enunciating each word to ensure there was no confusion.
At once, the scales moved, falling so fast I strained to remain balanced.
The side holding Helen's white feather hit the ground.
Not guilty.
Not guilty.
I knew that, but hearing Castor Valmont being forced to proclaim it, being free after spending most of the week believing I'd be condemned just because the valerscouldget me on a technicality? I could have flown in my elation.
I was hit by so many arms, all wrapping around me. Not Kleos. Everyone but her. She was too busy crying, hands covering her face, folded in two.She'd been more scared than me.
I managed to push past Gideon, Ronan, Lucky, and hardest of all, Silver's iron grasp, and brought Kleos to me, pressing against her. Fucking finally.
That was when theground started to shake under our feet.
We were all in complete agreement."Let's get out of here."
But it was far too late.
54
KLEOS
The first thing I noticed was the change in weather. The forum wasn't an atrium, but the dome overhead was translucent, letting us see the sky through it. One minute, it was a bright morning. The next, clouds gathered, a storm starting out of nowhere.
Then I heard the lightning.
"Well, well."
